How to style your perfect home office
Before 2020, having a home office wasn’t really a necessity for many homeowners and was often overlooked. Before the expectation to work and learn from home was thrust on the country, your home office might not have gotten much use. Maybe a few late nights of work, your kids used it to write some papers or you spent time there filing taxes or organizing bills. You also might have transformed the space that was designated for a home office into something that fit your family’s needs better at the time—an additional bedroom, playroom or even a media room. It’s possible that now, your home office is the most frequented space in your entire home. Whether it’s a designated space for one family member or shared by multiple, it’s important to be well-organized and equipped to handle an increase in usage. Bill Clark Homes has rounded up a few of our favorite home office trends to come from this year to help inspire you when decorating your current one, or possibly shopping for a new home with a designated space to work and learn.
Light and bright
Research shows that working in dark spaces can take a toll on your productivity, energy and brain function. Big windows, overhead lighting and chic, functional desk or floor lamps all provide great lighting to work with, but painting your room with colors that brighten up your home office will take it to a whole new level. Whether you go with a classic light neutral like white or light grey or something a bit funkier and trendy like pink, yellow or light blue, bright paint colors will keep you energized and excited about the work you have to do. With bright walls, you can easily find furniture and decor that complement the paint color and your personal style. Pair neutrals with colorful curtains, punchy wall art and fun-colored desks and chairs to add some excitement—or stick with other neutrals to go for a serene, calming palette. If you picked a bright and funky wall color, we suggest pairing it with neutral furniture pieces so it doesn’t look too busy or distracting.
Mod and monochromatic
If you’re looking for a space that’s a bit more adult or dramatic, don’t shy away from a monochromatic design. Rising in popularity in recent years, a monochromatic approach to interior design means pretty much everything in the room is the same color or color family. One great home office use of this trend is with blues: dramatic navy blue walls, complementary blue furniture and pops of light or electric blue accents can create a unique and interesting space. According to the psychology behind color choices, blue is symbolic of calmness and serenity and is often used to decorate offices or classrooms because some studies have shown that people are more productive in blue rooms than any other color. If you like the idea of monochromatic but aren’t quite ready for an intense color palette, whites and tans make for great same-color rooms as well.
Family-friendly and fresh
If the home office has become designated as a virtual learning space for your kids, maybe you’re wanting to decorate with them in mind. Start with a blank canvas like white or grey and include some of their favorite colors, activities or characters at their individual workspaces. For multiple kids using one room, consider placing them as far apart as possible—not only so they can focus, but so they can have a space to call their own. By letting them be a part of the process, you can have a unique bonding experience and teach them about the responsibilities of keeping their space organized. Make sure the room includes a comfortable space to read or learn off a tablet, equipped with bean bag chairs or comfortable couches.
No matter how you choose to decorate your office, it’s imperative that your home has the space to meet the needs of your growing family and face the challenges of spending more time at home. If you’re coming to the conclusion that you need a home with a dedicated home office or more space in general, Bill Clark Homes has you covered. Check out our North Carolina communities and browse through the floor plans to see what we can do for you and your family. Contact us today to learn more about our process and how we can build you the home of your dreams.